Homophonitically for You and I. Very strange concept today. Each theme answer has two words that contain the letters U and I next to each other. (Homophonitically: Having the same sound; Having or characterized by a single melodic line with accompaniment.)
16-Across. Citrus drink in a sea breeze cocktail: GRAPEFRUIT JUICE.
27-Across. Frivolous legal entanglement: NUISANCE SUIT.
47-Across. French luxury retailer since 1854: LOUIS VUITTON. Same sound? You decide.
And the unifier:
59. 2011 Dolly Parton single, and what homophonically happens twice in 16-, 27- and 47-Across: TOGETHER YOU AND I. Not to be parsed as To Get Her, You And I. I am not familiar with this song.
Across:
16-Across. Citrus drink in a sea breeze cocktail: GRAPEFRUIT JUICE.
27-Across. Frivolous legal entanglement: NUISANCE SUIT.
47-Across. French luxury retailer since 1854: LOUIS VUITTON. Same sound? You decide.
And the unifier:
59. 2011 Dolly Parton single, and what homophonically happens twice in 16-, 27- and 47-Across: TOGETHER YOU AND I. Not to be parsed as To Get Her, You And I. I am not familiar with this song.
Across:
1. __-been: washed-up celeb: HAS. I have a friend who called her ex-husband her Was-been.
4. Shared again, as a story: RETOLD.
10. Samantha Bee's network: TBS. Samantha Ann Bee (b. Oct. 25, 1969) is a Canadian-born comedian who got her start as a political commentator on The Daily Show with John Stewart. She now has her own show entitled Full Frontal.
13. Frequently found in poetry?: OFT.
14. One with a hunger: YEARNER. Awkward!
15. Go bad: ROT.
19. Philosopher Kierkegaard: SØREN. Søren Kierkegaard (née Søren Aabye Kierkegaard; May 5, 1813 ~ Oct. 11, 1855) was a Danish philosopher and theologian. He is considered to be the first modern existentialist philosopher. Sadly, he died at the young age of 42.
20. Dawn goddess: EOS.
21. Bridal veil trim: LACE. There is a lot of lace on this wedding dress.
22. Packed in a slatted box: CRATED.
25. Like bath mats: NON-SLIP.
29. Prez on a fiver: ABE.
30. "Cream of" concoction: SOUP.
31. Lonely place, so they say: THE TOP.
35. Former: PAST.
37. Part of rpm: PER. As in Revolutions Per Minute.
39. Actress Russo: RENE. Rene Russo (née Rene Marie Russo; b. Feb. 17, 1954) makes very frequent guest appearances in the crossword puzzles.
40. Bury: ENTOMB.
43. Frontier lawman Wyatt: EARP. Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (Mar. 19, 1848 ~ Jan. 13, 1929) also makes frequent guest appearances in the crossword puzzles.
46. HBO rival, briefly: SHO. Home BoxOffice versus Showtime.
50. Gives a hand: ASSISTS.
53. Celebrity socialite: IT GIRL. Clara Bow (née Clara Gordon Bow; July 29, 1905 ~ Sept. 27, 1965) was the original "It Girl".
54. One who stirs the pot: CHEF.
55. Former flier: TWA. Trans World Airlines was founded by Howard Hughes in 1930. It ceased operations in December 2001. My first airplane ride, when I was about 5 years old, was on a TWA flight. That was back in the day when airlines gave out little gifts to children who were flying. I still have the little red bag that was filled with little toys to keep me amused on the flight.
57. "Live" sign: ON AIR.
63. Night before: EVE.
64. Most authentic: REALEST. Awkward!
65. Generation __: GAP.
66. "Lust for Life" singer Lana __ Rey: DEL. I am not familiar with Lana Del Rey (née Elizabeth Woolridge Grand; b. June 21, 1985).
67. How theater seating is arranged: IN ROWS.
68. Hurricane center: EYE.
Down:
1. Keeps to oneself: HOGS.
2. Early form of Latin jazz: AFRO-CUBAN.
3. Like the most twinkly sky: STARRIEST.
4. Boxing official: REF. As in the Referee.
5. Musician's asset: EAR.
6. "Can't deny that": TRUE.
7. They might bring you to tears: ONIONS. Why Onions make you cry.
8. Releases from a cage: LETS OUT.
9. Basketball's Erving, familiarly: DR. J. Julius Erving (né Julius Winfield Erving, II; b. Feb. 22, 1950) had a long career in the NBA.
10. Dry run: TRIAL.
11. Italian lawn bowling game: BOCCI. Usually spelled with an "e".
12. Pricey: STEEP.
14. Gossipy sorts: YENTAS.
17. Podded plants: PEAS.
18. Coat named for an Irish province: ULSTER.
23. "Music for Airports" producer Brian: ENO. Our old friend Brian Eno (né Brian Peter George Eno; b. May 15, 1948) is also making a guest appearance in today's puzzle.
24. Bra spec: D-CUP.
26. Med. research agency: NIH. As in the National Institutes of Health. You can get information about Covid-19 at their website.
27. Tough spot to self-trim hair: NAPE.
28. Olympic swords: ÉPÉES. These fencing swords are often found it the crossword puzzles, too.
32. Simulated launch site: TEST RANGE.
33. Taking a vacation, Brit-style: ON HOLIDAY.
34. Lowly worker: PEON.
Peony.
36. English "L'chaim!": TO LIFE.
38. Sitar master Shankar: RAVI. Ravi Shankar (Apr. 7, 1920 ~ Dec. 11, 2012) is the father of musician Norah Jones.
41. Jan. and Feb.: MOs. January and February are the first 2 Months of the Gregorian calendar..
42. Words introducing a plot twist: BUT, THEN ... Not to be parsed as Butt Hen.
44. Road groove: RUT.
45. Hit the buffet in a major way, say: PIG OUT.
48. "Scout's honor!": I SWEAR.
49. Singer Turner: TINA. Tina Turner (née Anna Mae Bullock; b. Nov. 26, 1939) turned 80 on her last birthday. I should be so lucky when (if) I turn 80.
50. Played a part: ACTED.
51. Push roughly: SHOVE.
52. Jason of "How I Met Your Mother": SEGEL.
Jason Jordan Segel (b. Jan. 18, 1980)
56. Guthrie of folk: ARLO. Arlo Guthrie (né Arlo Davy Guthrie; b. July 10, 1947) is the son of Woody Guthrie, but you knew that.
58. Like avocados ready for guacamole: RIPE. Yummers!
60. Bi- plus one: TRI-.
61. Tree with elastic wood: YEW. This evergreen tree has red berries and is used for to make archery bows. We have seen the YEW several times in the past few weeks.
62. WWII spy gp.: OSS. As in the Office of Strategic Services. Before becoming a cooking guru, Julia Child was in the OSS.
And Here's the Grid:
QOD: Courage is the ladder upon which all other virtues mount. ~ Clare Boothe Luce (née Ann Clare Booth; Mar. 10, 1903 ~ Oct. 9, 1987), American journalist and diplomat
